Pesticide Use in Food Crops

Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3

Topic: Pesticide Use in Food Crops (Original Conventional versus New Integrated Pest Management Methods)

Host: Cincere Douglas

Guests: Chelsea Nelan and Sydney Snelling

This podcast episode entails the use of pesticides and its effects on the environment, human health, and so much more. The use of pesticides dates back to over half a century. Many argue that pesticides have brought our food production and consumption to a place that would not have been possible without. However, others believe that pesticides are doing more harm than good and that it may be time for an organic switch. Tune in to hear why pesticides are here, how they have evolved, and if they are essential for the growth and safety of our food crops.

Objectives:

I can describe what pesticides are and their effects.

I can explain why pesticides were created.

I can differentiate between the different IPM methods of pesticide use.

Pre-viewing Questions:

Name 3 food crops that may be grown using pesticides.

Why do you believe pesticides were brought into the food industry?

What about pesticide use makes it a disputed issue?

Guided Questions:

What does our first guest, Chelsea, do for a living?

What is Sydney’s major at her university?

As claimed by our second guest, what are some IPM methods for food crop growth and protection?

How have conventional pesticide methods helped and hurt the environment?

What does Chelsea suggest to those who are looking to begin their own journey for more organic eating and/or farming?

Post-Listening Questions:

Describe two effects that conventional pesticides have had on insect and plant species.

Do you believe conventional pesticide methods or IPM methods are better suited for food production today?

Are pesticides inherently good or bad in your opinion? What makes you choose your answer?

The comments shared on this podcast are not reflective of Middle Tennessee State University  

Scoring Rubric:

The following scoring guide can be used to assess responses to open-ended post-listening questions. Create your own point value to align with your school’s approach to assessment:

Guided Question Answer Key:

What does our first guest, Chelsea, do for a living? Chelsea is a small-scale organic farmer in Colorado.

What is Sydney’s major at her university? Sydney studies Agriculture with a pre-professional concentration in Food Technology.

As claimed by our second guest, what are some IPM methods for food crop growth and protection? There are genetic, cultural, physical, and biological methods.

How have conventional pesticides helped and hurt the environment? They have allowed food crops to grow quickly and in vast numbers. But they have killed off any insect species.  

What does Chelsea suggest to those who are looking to begin their own journey for more organic eating and/or farming? Chelsea suggests starting off by looking at and paying attention to where the food you buy originates from. She states it is critical to be aware of where what you are eating is coming from.